Officials at the conference agreed that business cooperation was very good and that the excellent political relations could help further deepen these ties.

According to the head of the Macedonian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Branko Azeski, the high number of participants in the conference confirmed the high interest in closer business ties.

He believes the two countries could expand their cooperation in new technologies, including blockchain.

His Slovenian counterpart Sonja Šmuc noted that trade between the countries was rising, so goals should be set higher.

Slovenian companies invest a lot in Macedonia and when they come, they stay in the country, which is an important message, she said.

Slovenia and Macedonia also cooperate well in staff training, which is crucial for economic development, Šmuc added.

The event was addressed by Cerar and Macedonian PM Zoran Zaev. Praising the efforts of Zaev's government for political stability, Cerar stressed the importance of government support for economic development.

He repeated that Slovenia would continue to support Macedonia in its aspirations to join the EU and NATO.

Zaev thanked him, noting that the results of this support were reflected in the "excellent" economic cooperation, which was rising. "But it is still possible to achieve more. I believe in potential," he said, pointing to possibilities in transport infrastructure and energy.

Macedonia can also follow Slovenia's example in ecology, he added.

CEO of the Slovenian company Korona, Boštjan Strmčnik, said the potential of the Macedonian market for the energy sector was huge, especially in renewable energy sources.

After the conference, Cerar held separate meetings with President Gjorge Ivanov and Speaker Talat Xhaferi.